1
R.I.C. Barracks Wexford. 30th, April, 1916. Sir,
I am in receipt of yuor your communication dated, April, 28th, 1916,
and the same has been Submitted to Superior Authority.
I am desired to inform you that if CaptionSeamus Doyle and
Captain John R. Etchingham report edthemselves to me at the R.IC
Barracks Georges Street Wexford I will send them up to Dublin
under Military Escort with a view to their communicating with
Commandant Pearse direct. They will proceed by Motor Car from
Wexford to Dublin. They two The two gentleman will be met at Ferrycarrig Bridge by
Military Escort, and conducted to my temporary Head-Quarters.
I herewith enclose a pass for the Motor Car in which these gentle
men travel to Ferrycarrig through my Picquet lines. I have tie Honour to be
Your Obedient Servant
F.A. French Colonel Commanding Troops Wexford.
Capt. Robert Brennan.
This is a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel F.A. French, a retired British Army officer
who received orders from the British War Office to take command of the British forces
in Wexford in 1916, to Captain Robert Brennan, acting commandant, Wexford Brigade,
Irish Volunteers, 1916.
Captain Seamus Doyle was one of the Irish Volunteer leaders in Enniscorthy, County
Wexford, one of the few places outside Dublin to see action during the 1916 Rising.
Captain John R.(Seán) Etchingham was a recruiting officer for the Irish Volunteers
in Wexford, 1916.
Due mainly to communication difficulties, the Easter Rising in Enniscorthy, County
Wexford didn't take place until Thursday 27 April, 1916, the Dublin Rising having
started on Easter Monday 24 April.
Patrick Pearse had agreed to an unconditional surrender on Saturday 29th but the Volunteer
leaders in Wexford refused to believe this.
Colonel French arranged for an army car to bring Captain Seamus Doyle and Captain
Seán Etchingham to see Pearse at Arbour Hill Barracks. There, Pearse signed a written
order to the Wexford Volunteers confirming the surrender.
In this letter Colonel French outlines the arrangements for the safe passage of the
men to Dublin and back.